We recently got word that the boy we’ve sponsored for several years no longer needs us. His community in Guatemala is able to continue independent from the aid World Vision has been giving them through sponsors like us. I was thrilled to hear this community has made such a comeback and I was heartbroken to say goodbye to Antony.
I picked his little picture out of many at a concert years ago. He was the same age as my twins, so I thought of him as my triplet in Guatemala. We received drawings and letters and pictures. We sent emails and gifts and cards. And now, at 14 years old, his community can support him without outside help. I wrote my farewell letter while I cried. I told him I’ll always pray for him.
The reason I bring this up is because I often feel apologetic about the size of my giving. I long to do more when I see the need in the world. The widow Jesus noticed giving her offering may have felt this way.
The gift that was painful for her to give was so small compared to the amounts given easily by others.
When wealth was seen as success and a mark of God’s favor, this woman may have felt small and pathetic. I did when I realized I’d need to find someone to split the cost of supporting Antony. But my in-laws and our family teamed up and then our gift teamed up with many other sponsors until the whole community is transformed.
There’s no limit to what God can do with a gift given in love. Maybe that’s why Jesus gave the widow such high praise. He said she’d given more than the rest, which tells me God’s math is weird and wonderful.* What if the love in our hearts makes the money go farther?
Glennon Doyle says, “Give small gifts with great love,” and when I remember this, I become a cheerful giver, grateful to have anything to give at all and happy to share it.
*Luke 21:3
